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President of Keynsham Lifesaving Club, Blondie has found that his LMFF film nights bring in people from the surrounding area that don't necessarily know about his club, and finding new members is a key element of the club's long-term survival.
To find out how he does it and more - listen to the full Keynsham Lifesaving Podcast, or check out our highlights below...
These steps work together to create a welcoming atmosphere that not only entertains but also educates and inspires, ultimately helping the club grow its membership and community support.
Using the Film Night as an Outreach Tool
Keynsham's event serves as a way to reach people beyond the club’s immediate circle. Blondie uses it to engage with local residents who might not have a direct connection to lifesaving but are interested in outdoor activities or community events. By doing so, he expands the club’s visibility and opens the door to potential new members who may have never considered joining before.
"Running the film festival has given us the opportunity to expand out."
Step 1: Make a diverse selection
Blondie carefully selects a mix of short films that cover a variety of outdoor and adventure activities. By including both light-hearted and serious films, he ensures there’s something for everyone, which helps attract a broader audience. This diversity keeps the event engaging and appealing to people with different interests, encouraging them to attend and learn more about the club.
"Some of them just leap out at me."
Step 2: Highlighting Relevant and Impactful Stories
He includes films that resonate with the club’s mission, such as Circumnavigate, which directly ties into water safety and the importance of lifesaving skills. This not only reinforces the club’s values but also connects emotionally with the audience, making the cause feel more personal and compelling. This relevance helps in drawing people who might be interested in the club’s mission but hadn’t yet connected with it.
"Then he realised that another casualty had been dragged in.."
Step 3: Creating a Memorable Experience
By making the film night a full-fledged community event with added elements like a bar and a raffle, Blondie turns it into a social and enjoyable evening. This positive experience encourages word-of-mouth promotion and repeat attendance, helping to gradually build a larger community around the club and its activities.
"So it really is a night out."
Film has a magnetic power - draw people to your club!
LMFF does the hard work for you by working all year to create a film collection that you can be confident in. It won't take you long to find films that will resonate with your club's passion. And once you've done that, add a few extras to make it more diverse and tempt along some folk who may be on the fringes of what you're doing, but still interested. It's a simple mix of core themes, a sprinkle of wider interests, and a few fun extras to make the night one that people will go away and talk about.
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